Step 2: The universe immediately
responds with the creation of the
vibrational potential that matches
the desire or question

Step 3: In aligning our dominant
focus regarding that topic with that
of the vibrational potential that now
exists as a result of the question
being asked, we allow the answer to
enter and manifest within our reality
(i.e. we get our desire)

You seem very sure, Vesuvius. :) Personally, I would say that prayer is more like Step 3. Step 1 has already happened in just living life. That's why you know what you want to pray for...because you have already (naturally) launched the desire for it. In a similar way, Manifesting Experiment 1 is actually mostly about Step 3 even though everyone probably thinks it is Step 1 :)